ContiNetwork: The only truly independent tyre service network

Recent years have seen the commercial truck tyre market move in favour of the Independent dealer. Where previously the fleet sector was dominated by the Equities – ATS Euromaster, Motorway/Hi-Q, National, and Central – the divestment and rationalisation that has taken place over the last five years has enabled the Independents to become a significant player. In fact, at a recent market trends presentation, Continental Tyres estimated that the Independents are now responsible for nearly 50 per cent of all tyres being sold to the market.

Supplying tyres to the truck fleet market, however, is big business and it takes a professional approach backed by a major manufacturer to get anywhere in the fleet business. Not only that, it takes a national, and ever increasingly, international approach to the market. That makes life difficult for the Independent dealer who cannot realistically deal with fleet business in all corners of the UK, never mind offer European cover.

The solution for the Independent is to join a tyre services network that can handle the approach to the national fleets and through its members offer national, or even international cover for fleet customers.

ContiNetwork, set up several years ago by Continental following its divestiture of National Tyres, is one such service network and forms Continental’s primary route to market for commercial tyre sales and service. Interestingly, Continental is now the only service provider to concentrate its distribution solely on the Independent network. Something that is of great importance to the Independent dealer who could often find himself competing against a service provider’s own Equity for the same business yet at different prices.

ContiNetwork has since established itself as one of the leading Independent networks and, according to Continental, services more national fleet business than any other Independent network. With 49 member companies – so-called ContiNetwork Partners – with some 200 tyre depots covering the whole of mainland Britain, its members are in a position to be able to deal with Continental’s national and regional fleets alongside their own contracts.

The package ContiNetwork gives its members is more than just tyres. There has to be a competitive product certainly, but ContiNetwork works to develop relationships and build confidence with its members.